Foldable chair

ABSTRACT

A foldable chair includes a chair seat and a foldable frame having two stand frames parallelly and spacedly aligned with each other, wherein said chair seat is extended between said two stand frames for a user to sit on when said foldable chair is unfolded, and two armrests movably connected to said two stand frames respectively for said user to rest his hands.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable chair, and more particularly to a foldable chair comprising a fabric made chair seat and a foldable frame adapted for folding and unfolding the chair seat, wherein the foldable chair provides a rigid and strong support while it is easy for hand carrying, storage and usage.

2. Description of Related Arts

Foldable chairs are easy to be carried and used both indoor and outdoor. A typical foldable chair comprises a foldable frame and a seat member foldably supported by the foldable frame in such a manner that the chair is capable of folding between a folded condition and an unfolded condition, wherein in the unfolded condition, the foldable frame stands on a ground surface and supports the seat member in a substantially horizontal position for a user to set, and that in the folded condition, the foldable frame can be pivotally and collipsibly folded to form a compact structure for ease of carry and storage.

The conventional foldable chair is usually made of metal or wood, especially when the seat member is made of rigid material, the foldable chair will be relatively heavy and bulky. Furthermore, the rigid chair cannot provide a comfortable and enjoyable seating for a user. In other words, a foldable chair should be employed to provide a relaxing and peaceful seating experience. In addition, the conventional foldable chair often fails to provide a stable support which is prone to flip over when a heavy user sits on the soft pliable seat and is easy to be damaged when a relatively heavy downward force is applied thereo.

In addition, a conventional foldable chair employs armrests for the user to rest his hands, referring to FIG. 1A of the drawing, a foldable chair comprises a rear frame 100, a front frame 200 extended from the rear frame 100, a seat frame 300 for mounting a chair seat 400, wherein the front frame 200 comprises an armrest portion 210 extended from the rear frame 100 and a leg portion 220 inclinedly extended from the armrest portion 210 for standing on a ground surface. Referring to FIG. 1B of the drawing, another foldable chair comprises a seat frame 100′, two leg frames 200′, and two armrests 300′ mounted to the seat frame 100′ and the two leg frames 200′, wherein the two armrests 300′ are supported by the two leg frames 200′. Accordingly, these kinds of foldable chair provide a stable support for the armrest, but a main disadvantage of the conventional foldable chair is that the design of the armrest cannot make the foldable chair be folded to a compact structure.

Therefore, a portable and flexible foldable chair which has a light weight for hand carrying or storing in a trunk of a vehicle when being folded to a compact size as well as enhanced structural strength and stability for using is highly desired. And a pair of armrests is a desired structure for the foldable chair which is preferred to be also constructed foldable to reduce its size in folded condition while providing a rigid and steady support of the user's forearms in unfolded condition.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair comprising a chair seat and a foldable frame adapted for folding and unfolding the chair chair seat wherein the foldable chair provides a rigid and strong support while it is easy for hand carrying, storage and usage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair adapted to fold between a folded condition and an unfolded condition, wherein in the folded condition, the chair seat and the foldable frame are folded into a compact structure for ease of carrying and storage, and that in the unfolded condition, the foldable frame unfolds the chair seat for a user to sit thereon comfortably.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair, wherein the foldable frame comprises two stand frames prarallelly and spacedly aligned with each other, wherein each of the stand frames comprises a first crossed leg and a second crossed leg which is connected to the first crossed leg at a pivot point, wherein the chair seat has a first end mounted to the upper end of the first crossed leg and a second end mounted to the upper end of the second leg, so that the chair seat can be folded or unfolded with respect to the movement between the first crossed leg and the second crossed leg.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair, wherein the foldable frame comprises two armrests each pivotally and inclindely extended from the second crossed leg and movably connected to the first crossed leg for a user to comfortably rest his forearms thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair, wherein the armrest is movably connected to the first crossed leg via a pivot arm in such a manner that the two armrest is capable of being overlappedly aligned with the first crossed legs and second crossed legs when the foldable chair is in the folded condition and being horizontally extended when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition so that the user can comfortably rest his forearms thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair, wherein the second crossed leg further comprises a mounting arm inclinedly extended from the upper portion of the second crossed in such a manner that the mounting arm is substantially extended vertically when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, wherein each of the two stand frames comprises an armrest pivotally extended from the mounting arm of the second crossed leg and movably connected to the first crossed leg for the user to rest his forearms thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair, wherein the second crossed leg further comprises a mounting arm inclinedly extended from the upper portion of the second crossed in such a manner that the mounting arm is extended vertically when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, wherein each of the two stand frames comprises an armrest having a soft armrest body pivotally extended between the mounting arm of the second crossed leg and the first crossed leg for the user to rest his hand when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair, wherein a first support comprising two first supporting arms crossedly extended between the two lower portions of the first crossed legs of the two stand frames and the two upper portion of the second crossed legs respectively so as to provide a first supporting force to the foldable char in the unfolded condition, wherein a second support comprising two second supporting arms crossedly extended between the two lower portions of the second crossed legs and the two upper portion of the first crossed legs respectively so as to provide a second supporting force to the foldable chair in the unfolded condition so that the stability of the foldable chair is attained when the user sits on the chair seat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair which provides a simple and strong structure that can be manufactured in an affordable lower cost for all consumers.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a foldable chair comprising:

a chair seat, and

a foldable frame, comprising two stand frames substantially aligned parallelly and spacedly with each other, wherein said chair seat is extended between said two stand frames to define a sitting surface for a user to sit on when said foldable chair is unfolded, and

two armrests movably connected to said two stand frames respectively for said user to rest his forearms.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are perspective views of two conventional foldable chairs according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldable chair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a first support being mounted to the foldable frame of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view illustrating a second support being mounted to the foldable frame of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the foldable chair in the folded condition according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative mode of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another alternative mode of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a foldable chair which is adapted to be folded between a folded condition and an unfolded condition according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the foldable chair comprises a chair seat 10 and a foldable frame 20, wherein in the folded condition, the chair seat 10 and the foldable frame 20 are folded into a compact structure while the chair seat 10 is overlappedly aligned with the folded foldable frame for ease of carrying and storage, wherein in the unfolded condition, the foldable frame 20 is unfolded to extend the chair seat 10 to define a sitting surface for a user to sit thereon comfortably.

Accordingly, the chair seat 10 is made of soft material, and thus the chair seat can be a fabric seat, weave seat, or canvas seat so that the user can comfortably sits thereon. In other words, the chair seat 10 is made of soft and flexible material so as to provide a lighter weight structure and convenient seating effect for the user.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawing, the foldable frame 20 comprises two stand frames 21 parallelly and spacedly aligned with each other, wherein the chair seat 10 is mounted to the two stand frames 21 in such a manner that the chair seat 10 is extended between the two stand frames 21 when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition. Also, the two stand frames 21 are capable of unfolding the chair seat 10 in the unfolded condition.

Each of the stand frames 21 comprises a first crossed leg 211 and a second crossed leg 212 which is connected to the first crossed leg 211 at a pivot point 213, wherein the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 are capable of rotating with respect to each other about the pivot point 213.

The foldable frame further comprises two armrests 22 movably connected to the two stand frames 21 respectively. More specifically, each of the two armrests 22 comprises an armrest body 221 movably connected to the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 for supporting the user's forearms when the user sits on the chair seat 10.

Accordingly, the first crossed leg 211, the second crossed leg 212 and the armrest 22 are substantially aligned overlappedly and parallelly with each other in the folded condition, and that when the first crossed leg 211 rotates with respect to the second crossed leg 212 in the unfolded condition, the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 can be unfolded to a cross-X structure adapted for standing on a ground surface for supporting the user sitting on the chair seat 10, and the armrest body 221 will be extended between the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 for the user to rest his forearms.

It is worth mentioning that the length of the first crossed leg 211 can be different from the second crossed leg 212. For example, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first crossed leg 211 is longer than the second crossed leg 212, wherein when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, the first crossed leg 211 provides a backrest for the user sitting on the chair seat 10 and the second crossed leg 212 provides a seat support for the user.

Accordingly, the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 are both preferably constructed in arc shape so as to define a desired angle when the foldable frame 20 is in the unfolded condition. The pivot point 213 divides the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 into two half portions: an upper portion and a lower portion. In other words, the first crossed leg 211 has an upper portion 2111 above the pivot point 213 and a lower portion 2112 below the pivot point 213, wherein the second crossed leg 212 has an upper portion 2121 above the pivot point 213 and a lower portion 2122 below the pivot point 213. When the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, the upper portion 2111 of the first crossed leg 211 and the corresponding upper portion 2121 of the second crossed leg 212 so as to define the unfolding angle of the foldable frame 20 in such a manner that the chair seat 10 is resting on the upper portion 2111 of the first crossed leg 211 and the upper portions 2121 of the second crossed leg 212 at a position above the pivot point 213.

Accordingly, the armrest body 221 of the armrest 22 has a first end 2211 inclinedly extended from the upper portion 2121 of the second crossed leg 212 and a second end 2212 movably connected to the first crossed leg 211 so that the armrest 22 is capable of overlappedly and parallelly aligned with the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212.

In this preferred embodiment, the armrest 22 further comprises a pivot arm 222 having a first end 2221 pivotally and movably connected to the armrest body 221 and a second end 2222 pivotally and movably connected to the first crossed leg 211 in such a manner that the second end 2212 of the armrest body 221 is capable of rotating with respect to the first crossed leg 211. Preferably, the first end 2221 of the pivot arm 222 is pivotally and movably connected to a middle portion of the armrest body 221 and the second end 2222 of the pivot arm 242 is pivotally and movably connected to the middle portion of the first crossed leg 211. And thus when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, the two armrests 22 are substantially extended horizontally for a user to rest his forearms and hands, and when the foldable chair is in the folded condition, the two armrest 22 are extended vertically to parallelly align with the two first crossed legs 211 and the two second crossed legs 212 respectively.

The chair seat 10 comprises a seat member 11 having a first end 111 and a second end 112, wherein the first end 111 of the seat member 11 is mounted to the upper portion 2111 of the first crossed leg 211 and the second end 112 of the seat member 11 is mounted to the upper portion 2121 of the second crossed leg 212 in such a manner that the seat member 11 is extended between the two stand frames 21.

It is worth mentioning that, the seat member 11 can be mounted to the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 in various manners. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seat member 11 comprises two retention pockets 1111 provided at two corners of the first end 111 of the seat member 11 respectively, wherein the upper end of the upper portion 2111 of the first crossed leg 211 is received in the retention pocket 1111. The seat member 11 has two retention holes 1121 provided at two corners of the second end 112 of the seat member 11 respectively. The second crossed leg 212 is secured to the second end 112 of the seat member 11 by passing through the retention holes 1121.

The second crossed leg 212 further comprises a block 2123 provided on the upper portion 2121 thereof, wherein the block 2123 is preferably embodied as a ring body which is firmly mounted on the upper portion 2121 of the second crossed leg so as to block the downward movement of second end 112 of the seat member 11. In other words, the block 2213 holds the seat member in position in the unfolded condition, especially when the user sits on the seat member 11.

It is worth mentioning that the chair seat 10 comprises a plurality of fasteners 12 provided on the edge of the seat member 11 of the chair seat for grasping the upper portions 2111, 2121 of the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 so that a downward force applied on the chair seat can be distributed by the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 of the drawing, the foldable frame 20 further comprises a first support 23 and a second support 24 mounted to the two stand frames 21 so as to enhance the stability of the foldable frame 20 in the unfolded condition, wherein the first support 23 comprises two first support arms 231 connected with each other at a first crossed point 232. Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawing, the two first support arms 231 are connected to the two stand frames 21 in such a manner that the lower end of each of the first support arms 231 is pivotally mounted to the lower portion 2112 of the first crossed leg 211 and the upper end of each of the first support arms 231 is mounted to the upper portion 2121 of the second crossed leg 212.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawing, the second support 24 comprises two second support arms 241 connected to each other at a second crossed point 242. More specifically, the two second support arms 241 are mounted to the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 of each of the two stand frames 21 in such a manner that lower ends of each of the two second support arms 241 are pivotally mounted to the lower portion 2122 of the second crossed leg 212 and the upper end of each of the two second support arms 241 are mounted to the upper portions 2111 of the first crossed leg 211. And thus when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, the first support 23 and the second support 24 provide supporting force to the two first crossed leg 211 and the two second crossed leg 212 of the two stand frames 21 so as to attain a stable support to the user's weight and evenly distribute a downward force applied by the user sitting on the chair seat 10.

It is worth mentioning that the first support 23 and the second support 24 not only provide supporting force to the two stand frames 21 when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, but also retain a predetermined distance between the two stand frames 21, wherein the distance is slightly larger than the width of the user.

It is worth mentioning that the foldable frame 20 further comprises four supporting pads 25 wrapping the lower end of the first crossed leg 211 and the lower end of the second crossed leg 212 so as to enhance the frictional contact with the ground surface and evenly distribute a downward force applied by the user's weight so that a stable support is attained for the foldable chair.

Accordingly, each of the supporting pads 25 comprises a pad body 251 and a tube portion 252 protruded from the pad body 251, wherein the lower ends of the first crossed leg 211 and the lower ends of the second crossed leg 212 are received in the tube portions 252 in such a manner that the first crossed leg 211 and the second crossed leg 212 are wrapped and supported by the supporting pads 25.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawing, when the foldable chair is in the folded condition, the two first crossed leg 211, the two second crossed leg 212, and the two armrests 22 are paralledly and overlappedly aligned with each other to stand in a substantial upright direction and the first support 23 is overlappedly aligned with the second support 24. And thus the foldable chair is easy for hand carrying or storing.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawing, an alternative mode of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, the foldable chair has a similar structure with the foldable chair mentioned above, wherein the second crossed leg 212A of each of the two stand frames 21A further comprises a mounting arm 2124A integrally and inclinedly extended from the upper portion 2121A of the second crossed leg 212A in such a manner that mounting arm 2124A of the second crossed leg 212A stands in an upright direction when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition.

The armrest body 221A has a first end 2211A mounted to the mounting arm 2124A of the second crossed leg 212A and a second end 2212A mounted to the first crossed leg 211A. Accordingly, each of the two armrests 22A comprises a mounting head 223A vertically and protrudely extended from the first end 2211A. The mounting head 223A has a receiving hole 2231A for receiving an upper end of the mounting arm 2124A, and then the mounting head 223A is fixed to the upper end of the mounting arm 2124A by screws, rivets or the like.

The armrest 22A further comprises a pivot arm 222A having a first end 2221A pivotally and movably connected to the armrest body 221A and a second end 2222A pivotally and movably connected to the first crossed leg 211A in such a manner that the second end 2212 of the armrest body 221A is capable of rotating with respect the first crossed leg 211A.

Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawing, an alternative mode of the foldable chair according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, the foldable chair has a similar structure with the foldable chair mentioned above, wherein the second crossed leg 212B of each of the two stand frames 21B further comprises a mounting arm 2124B integrally and inclinedly extended from the upper portion 2121B of the second crossed leg 212B in such a manner that mounting arm 2124B of the second crossed leg 212B stands in an upright direction when the foldable chair is in the unfolded condition, wherein each of the two armrests 22B comprises a soft armrest body 221B extended between the first-crossed leg 211B and the corresponding second crossed leg 212B of each of the two stand frames 21B. Accordingly, the soft armrest body 221B is preferably made of the material same as the chair seat 10B, and thus when the soft armrest 22B also can be folded or unfolded corresponding to the foldable chair in the folded condition or the unfolded condition.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable chair, comprising: a chair seat, and a foldable frame, comprising: two stand frames substantially aligned parallelly and spacedly with each other, wherein said chair seat is extended between said two stand frames for a user to sit on when said foldable chair is unfolded, and two armrests movably connected to said two stand frames respectively for said user to rest his forearms.
 2. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said two stand frames comprises a first crossed leg and a second crossed leg connected with said first crossed leg at a pivot point, wherein each of said two armrest comprises an armrest body movably connected with said first crossed leg and said second crossed leg.
 3. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 2, wherein said first crossed leg and said crossed leg are constructed in arc shape, wherein an upper portion of said first crossed leg and a corresponding upper portion of said second crossed leg define an unfolding angle of said foldable frame in said unfolded condition in such a manner that said chair seat is resting on said upper portions of said first crossed leg and a corresponding upper portion of said second crossed leg at a position above said pivot point.
 4. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 3, wherein said armrest body of said armrest has a first end inclinedly extended from said upper portion of said second crossed leg and a second end movably connected to said first crossed leg so that said armrest is capable of overlappedly and parallelly aligned with said first crossed leg and said second crossed leg.
 5. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 3, wherein said second crossed leg further comprises a mounting arm integrally and inclinedly extended from said upper portion of said second crossed leg in such a manner that said mounting arm of said second crossed leg stands in an upright direction when said foldable chair is unfolded, wherein said armrest body of said armrest has a first end extended from said mounting arm of said second crossed leg and a second end movably connected to said first crossed leg.
 6. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said two armrests comprises a mounting head vertically and protrudely extended from said first end of said armrest body, wherein said mounting head has a receiving hole for receiving an upper end of said mounting arm.
 7. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said two armrests comprises a pivot arm having a first end pivotally and movably connected to said armrest body and a second end pivotally and movably connected to said first crossed leg in such a manner that said second end of said armrest body is capable of rotating with respect to said first crossed leg.
 8. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said two armrests comprises a pivot arm having a first end pivotally and movably connected to said armrest body and a second end pivotally and movably connected to said first crossed leg in such a manner that said second end of said armrest body is capable of rotating with respect to said first crossed leg.
 9. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 5, wherein said armrest body of said armrest is made of soft material.
 10. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 7, wherein said chair seat is made of soft material.
 11. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 8, wherein said chair seat is made of soft material.
 12. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 9, wherein said chair seat is made of soft material.
 13. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 10, wherein said chair seat comprises a seat member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said seat member is mounted to said upper portion of said first crossed leg and said second end of said seat member is mounted to said upper portion of said second crossed leg, wherein said seat member comprises two retention pockets provided at two corners of said first end of said seat member respectively, wherein each upper end of said upper portion of said first crossed leg is received in each of said retention pockets; wherein said seat member has two retention holes provided at two corners of said second end of said seat member respectively, wherein each said second crossed leg is secured to said second end of said seat member by passing through each of said retention holes.
 14. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 11, wherein said chair seat comprises a seat member having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said seat member is mounted to said upper portion of said first crossed leg and said second end of said seat member is mounted to said upper portion of said second crossed leg, wherein said seat member comprises two retention pockets provided at two corners of said first end of said seat member respectively, wherein each upper end of said upper portion of said first crossed leg is received in each of said retention pockets; wherein said seat member has two retention holes provided at two corners of said second end of said seat member respectively, wherein each said second crossed leg is secured to said second end of said seat member by passing through each of said retention holes
 15. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 13, wherein said second crossed leg further comprises a block provided on said upper portion thereof, wherein said block is an ring which is firmly mounted on said upper portion of said second crossed leg so as to block downward movement of second end of said seat member.
 16. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 15, wherein said chair seat comprises a plurality of fasteners provided on the edge of said seat member of said chair seat for grasping said upper portions of said first crossed leg and said second crossed leg so that said downward force applied on said chair seat is distributed by said first crossed leg and said second crossed leg.
 17. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 16, wherein said foldable frame further comprises a first support and a second support mounted to said two stand frames so as to enhance said stability of said foldable frame when said foldable chair is unfolded.
 18. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 17, wherein said first support comprises two first support arms connected to each other at a first crossed point, wherein said second support comprises two second support arms connected to each other at a second crossed point, wherein said two first support arms are connected to said two stand frames in such a manner that a lower end of each of said two first support arms is pivotally mounted to said lower portion of said first crossed leg and an upper end of each of said two first support arms is mounted to said upper portion of said second crossed leg, wherein said two second support arms are mounted to said two stand frames in such a manner that a lower end of each of said two second support arms is pivotally mounted to said lower portion of said second crossed leg and an upper end of each of said two second support arms is mounted to said upper portions of said first crossed leg.
 19. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 18, wherein said two first support arms are connected to said two stand frames in such a manner that a lower end of each of said two first support arms is pivotally mounted to a lower end of said first crossed leg and an upper end of each of said two first support arms is mounted to an upper end of said second crossed leg, wherein said two second support arms are mounted to said two stand frames in such a manner that a lower end of each of said two second support arms is pivotally mounted to a lower end of said second crossed leg and an upper end of each of said two second support arms is mounted to an upper end of said first crossed leg.
 20. The foldable chair, as recited in claim 19, wherein said foldable frame further comprises four supporting pads each comprising a pad body and a tube portion protruded from said pad body, wherein said lower ends of said first crossed leg and said lower ends of said second crossed leg are received in said tube portions in such a manner that said first crossed leg and said second crossed leg are wrapped and supported by said supporting pads. 